A half-dozen Vermont aerospace and defense companies are attending this week’s Paris Air Show — hoping to make connections for future contracts.

According to the Vermont Global Trade Partnership, the aviation and aerospace industries in the state represent a $2 billion industry that supports more than 9,000 jobs.

Because so many countries and their companies are represented at the air show, it’s important for Vermont companies to have a presence as well, said Brent Raymond, director of the Vermont Global Trade Partnership.

Raymond said, “it’s just an excellent way to create name recognition or strengthening your name via marketing at these events ... where companies from all over the globe are participating.”

He said contacts made at trade shows often result in future contracts.

“It’s very significant the feedback that we get from the businesses, that attend not only the Paris Air Show and the Farnborough Air Show but other trade shows, is that it’s critical for continued success in exporting,” Raymond said.

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and its Aerospace and Aviation Association consider the aviation and aerospace sectors “key economic drivers” of the state’s economy.

One of the major players at the air show will be GE Aviation, which operates a blade and vane parts manufacturing plant in Rutland.

GE Aviation spokesman Deborah Case said in an email the company expects to make several contract announcements at the air show as well as an announcement of a new location for GE’s ceramic matrix composite components.

Vermont companies participating at the Paris Air Show include:

n AeroParts Plus, South Burlington, distributor of aerospace parts focusing on Airbus Interior parts and standard American and European hardware.